200m steel fence blocking beauty spot view to be removed after public outcry
The 2.1m-tall steel fence appeared suddenly and without warning across the face of Gilwern mountain in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and close to the boundary of the Unesco Blaenavon World Heritage site in April
The fence that has been out across the Pwll Du Road on Gilwern Mountain, north Monmouthshire
(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service )
A massive fence erected without consultation across a mountain and overlooking a scenic spot is set to be dismantled following public outrage. Residents were angered when the 6ft steel barrier was unexpectedly installed across the face of Gilwern mountain in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park and near the boundary of the Unesco Blaenavon World Heritage site in April.
Locals dubbed the 200m long galvanised steel structure with sharp spikes the Great Wall of Clydach and demanded its removal sparking a planning dispute.
Monmouthshire County Council, which argued it had to intervene to prevent people from accessing Pwll Du Road that runs across the face of the mountain and has been closed to traffic due to safety concerns for the past five years, has now agreed to take the gate down.
The council has announced it will instead use stock fencing and the posts at either end of the road, supporting the fence, will be reduced in height. It will also be painted to blend in with the surrounding countryside.
Farmer Wayne Elliot has been battling Monmouthshire council over the road, that is now fenced off, since 2020
(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service )
Independent county councillor for Llanelly Hill Simon Howarth said during a recent assembly at Clydach village hall council authorities announced a plan to tender the dismantling of an unpopular fence for approximately £20,000 – a figure that has unsettled many residents.
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The councillor said: "The fence is coming down. They did say they are going out to tender and the cost is around £20,000, which hasn't gone down very well. We shouldn't have got here."
Following the uproar over the original £40,000 expense to erect the barrier it will now be replaced by a less obtrusive 1.5m-high stock fence while the current posts and concealed gates that bar vehicle access will remain in place.
Cllr Howarth expressed frustrations about the financial impact, saying: "Overall we are where we should have started but around £50,000 to £70,000 worse off."
The 2.1m-tall steel fence overlooks the village of Clydach in the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park
(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service )
The councillor said he was also pleased the council has said it will allow access to the back side of the fence, between it and the mountainside, for cyclists and pedestrians though some points still have to be made safe.
He also said the council will hold talks with farmers and commoners over access for moving stock from the Keeper's Pond end of the mountain road, which he welcomed.
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A council spokesman said: "Following a positive meeting the local community and the council agreed with the proposal to reduce the height of the back line of the palisade fencing, replacing it with stock proof fencing and painting the reveals and pillars with a suitable colour to blend in with the landscape."
Earlier safety measures, such as installing gates and boulders, had been ineffective since they were frequently damaged or removed. As a result of a 2023 rockfall incident the council commissioned another report, which proposed banning pedestrians in addition to vehicles from using the road.
That report also suggested potential alternatives including the creation of new footpaths above and below the current road and realigning the road farther into the mountain. However the council has said these alternatives would require a multi-million-pound outlay.
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